Goblin Lives Don't Matter

Goblins are practically synonymous with ugliness and weakness.

Hunched in stature with spindly limbs, goblins rank among the weakest of monsters, their combat prowess equivalent to that of an underdeveloped child.

No one holds a favorable impression of such creatures.

"Hah, what kind of test is this?" Young Master Kahn sneered disdainfully. "Could anyone possibly lose to a goblin?"

The freshmen present also felt reassured, chatting and laughing among themselves—none believed they could possibly be defeated by a goblin.

Delly stood quietly in place, offering no response.

Soon, the first goblin was released from the iron gate.

It screeched incoherently as it charged toward the crowd.

"Who among you will go first?" Delyan asked.

Before anyone could answer, Kahn drew the sword at his waist and stepped forward.

Kahn hailed from the Stark Family, a long-standing lineage of magic knights who served the royal family of the Yalan Empire, holding a prestigious status.

Magic knights were a profession that blended sorcery with swordsmanship, so even before enrolling at Olifant Academy, Kahn had already mastered exceptional swordplay.

His blade was no ordinary weapon either—forged by a dwarven master, it could slice through iron as if it were mud.

In contrast, the goblin before him was empty-handed, not even clutching a hardened rock.

A cold glint flashed—without any surprise, the goblin's head flew high into the air, followed by a fountain of blood.

Kahn failed to dodge in time, drenched head to toe in the foul, warm gore.

"Damn it!" Kahn cursed viciously, his expression twisting in disgust.

The overwhelming stench of blood filled his nostrils, making him retch uncontrollably.

"Passed. Next."

The iron gate creaked open again, releasing another goblin.

The first goblin's corpse still lay bleeding on the ground, its head rolled several meters away.

This time, none of the freshmen stepped forward immediately.

After all… goblins were humanoid monsters. Witnessing such a gruesome scene left them deeply unsettled.

"Hey, it's just a measly goblin…"

"Who's going next?"

"I don’t even have a sword! Who’d have thought the final test would be like this… How am I supposed to kill it?"

The freshmen began shifting responsibility among themselves, especially after seeing Kahn drenched in blood—no one wanted to be the next to step up.

"What’s even the point of this test?"

"Killing goblins… feels kind of cruel."

Delyan's gaze sharpened.

"Listen well, ignorant fledglings," she said, pulling out her staff. A searing fireball materialized and struck the goblin in an instant.

The creature shrieked horrifically as it writhed in flames, its cries sending chills down their spines, before collapsing into a charred corpse.

"This thing is a monster!

No matter how weak, monsters are a threat to people.

Goblins steal possessions, murder children, and ambush merchants in packs. They lack any semblance of humanity—plundering is their way of life. Goblins are pure evil!

The world outside these walls may seem peaceful, but injustice and suffering still exist in many places.

Since you’ve chosen to study magic and wield power, you must learn to use it correctly. Hesitation and foolish mercy in critical moments will only lead to irreversible regret.

This is your final test—and your first lesson upon enrollment.

Every one of you must stain your hands with blood. Those without the resolve don’t deserve to learn magic!"

Silence fell over the field after Delyan’s words, many lowering their heads in shame.

Another goblin was released.

Yet before it could take more than a few steps, an arrow pierced its skull, sending it crashing lifelessly to the ground.

"Woo-hoo!" Liyana whistled cheerfully.

Had that goblin known who felled it, it might have risen from death just to kowtow to her in gratitude.

"Passed. Next."

Aina merely raised her hand—and the goblin dropped dead. No one saw what happened.

"P-passed…"

Xia Lun sidestepped the goblin’s lunge, circled behind it, and with a crisp "snap," effortlessly snapped its neck.

"Passed…"

The other freshmen, noting how Xia Lun remained spotless, brightened with realization and soon mimicked his method.

Before long, the arena was littered with goblin corpses, their necks twisted at unnatural angles.

……

Lake Village.

The schoolhouse.

Old Cody lectured at the front while a dozen children clad in animal hides sat below.

He had arrived years ago with a merchant caravan from Kro City. Rumor had it he was once a professor at some academy before retiring, only to face misfortune that drained his savings. Hearing of Lake Village’s generous offer for teachers, he made his way here.

The villagers treated the elderly scholar with care, even hauling bricks from afar to build a fireplace in the schoolhouse—after all, Lake Village sat at the edge of the frozen wastes, where few endured the bitter cold, let alone an erudite professor.

Yet few children paid attention, lulled by the warmth and Old Cody’s monotonous, unhurried speech.

Anana, however, was an exception.

Her father quizzed her daily on her studies.

"That’s all for today."

The children packed up sluggishly, reluctant to face the biting wind outside.

Only Anana dashed out eagerly.

She didn’t head home but instead hurried to the village gates.

The merchant caravan was due back today—its return always coincided with dismissal.

"Awooo—"

Sure enough, before long, the howls of snow-wolf hounds echoed.

Their cries lacked the depth of true snow-wolves but carried far sharper than any dog’s, making them unmistakable.

"Uncle Ge Rui!"

Anana rushed to greet the caravan.

"Don’t worry, I didn’t forget your doll," Ge Rui said, handing her a large bundle before patting her head.

Anana’s gaze drifted to the caravan’s rear.

A group of strangers in dun-yellow robes stood clustered together, surveying the village.

Against the snowy backdrop, their garb stood out starkly.